News

By Ryan Schlehuber, MCC sportswriter 

SIDNEY — The Montcalm Community College Centurions men’s golf team continues to raise the bar of expectations this spring, earning yet another couple of great outings. 

The Centurions took first place at the Muskegon Community College Invitational at Stonegate Golf Club in Twin Lakes, Mich., April 21, and missed first place by one stroke, finishing second, at the Jackson College Invitational at Arbor Hills Golf Club in Jackson, April 18. 

For the third time this spring, the Centurions took home first-place hardware, winning the Muskegon CC Invitational by four strokes, beating out Grand Rapids Community College 314-318. Delta College finished third with a team score of 322. 

“Our No. 1 goal is to have fun and that was accomplished,” Centurions Head Coach Doug Harkema said. “Our second goal is to play for each other, and I believe we are all good, and our third goal is to give every shot 100%, with thought, process and execution. Winning will take care of itself.” 

Individually, the Centurions dominated, with sophomore Ethan Johnson (Holt, Mich.) and freshman Kenny Mitchell (Cedar Springs, Mich) each medaling with a total score of 73, tying for first place.  

Freshman Mason Blair (Holt, Mich.) was right behind them with a score of 78, followed by sophomore Jerald Brownell (Cedar Springs, Mich.) who scored an 81; sophomore Ryan Clingenpeel (East Lansing, Mich.), 82; and sophomore Zach Johnson (Holt, Mich.), with an 83. 

Harkema was mightily impressed with Ethan Johnson and Mitchell’s performances. 

“Kenny has improved a ton from the start of this season,” Harkema said. “In the fall, just starting his first college season, there was plenty for him to learn. He played solid in the fall but really worked on his game over the winter.” 

Harkema said Mitchell has also matured mentally with his approach to the game. 

“He has learned how to better navigate how he approaches the game mentally,” Harkema said. “He is really talented and loves the game. He's only going to get better.” 

Harkema said Ethan Johnson has earned the team’s captainship. 

“He had an excellent day on the greens today and putted very well,” he said. “It was fun watching him play. He is super confident in himself.” 

At the Jackson College Invitational, the Centurions were one stroke away from tying for first place, earning a team score of 304, a plus-16 over par. Mott Community College finished with a score of 303 to win the invitational, held at Arbor Hills Golf Club in Jackson, Mich. Marian U-Ancilla took third with a 314 score. 

“At the course, it was a decent day but we had a small delay for thunderstorms about four holes into the round,” Centurions Head Coach Doug Harkema said.  

Individually, Blair took first with a total score of 73, one better than Mott CC’s Kyle Barbour. Blair was followed by his Centurion teammates, Brownell, with a score of 76; Clingenpeel, 77; Ethan Johnson, 77; Zach Johnson, also a 77; and Mitchell, with a 78.  

“Mason played wonderfully,” Harkema said. “He is striking the ball really well right now and is full of confidence.” 

Harkema said Blair has been working his wedge game really well, even navigating out of tough positions. 

“Even when he finds himself out of position, he can recover,” Harkema said. “And he’s also an excellent putter.” 

There were a total of 13 teams competing at the Jackson CC Invitational. 

With the short spring season coming to a close and regionals on the horizon, Harkema expects his Centurions team to continue what they’re doing, which is winning. 

“I always say your practice will show up,” he said. “Our team loves golf and will continue to work on the things that make scores lower. Better weather will help, as well.” 

UP NEXT: The Centurions will be hosting its Montcalm Community College Invitational at 10 a.m., Friday, April 25, at Glenkerry Golf Course in Greenville. This will be the last regular season meet as then MCC prepares for the MCCAA Region 8 Golf Championship at Bedford Valley Golf Course in Battle Creek, Mich., May 5-6.